Laser Refractive Surgery.
The freedom of contacts or glasses by reshaping the front surface of the cornea with a laser.
LASIK
Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis (LASIK) is a laser procedure that involves the creation of a thin “flap” on the cornea. The flap is created either with a microkeratome (blade) or with a femtosecond laser (bladeless or intraLASIK) that has precision down to the micron. the flap is lifted by the surgeon and the prescription is etched into your cornea using an excimer laser. Healing time is typically short and you should be back to seeing 20/20 a day or two after surgery.
PRK.
Photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) is a similar procedure to LASIK except there is no flap creation. This procedure is good for patients with thin or irregularly shaped corneas or corneal scars. Instead of the flap the top protective layer of the cornea the epithelium is removed. The same excimer laser is used to etch the prescription into the cornea. After the procedure a bandage contact lens is placed on the eye to allow the epithelium to regenerate. The bandage contact lens is removed 3-4 days after surgery. The healing process is a bit longer and can take a few weeks to a few months to achieve 20/20 vision.